Choosing between agents - and markets

Hi all -

I'm a little new here, so excuse me if this is the wrong place for this thread. It seemed like the best fit. I posted about this in my introduction thread, but got the advice that it didn't really belong there.

After years of trying, I've had some very good fortune with my newest book. I've got two competing agents offering me representation.

The main difference between them is that one is based in the UK - where I am - and the other in the US. This means that each wants to sell the book where they are based. I'll get a bigger advance and access to a bigger market if we go down the US route, but I'll be able to get more involved with promotion and marketing if it's being first published in my home country.

There's also a little difference in the experience of the two agents, though I like both very much. One has a very long list of clients and is one of the top agents in a medium-sized agency. The other has a small list and has only been an agent for a few years, but has decades of experience with a publisher and has done some strong sales to the top houses.

I guess it's a trade-off between being represented by the seasoned pro who might have less time for a first-time novelist and the agent with less experience and fewer clients who will be more attentive.

I have phone calls with both of them scheduled for tomorrow and will be able to get a better feel of how they would act as long-term representatives, but I'm having a lot of trouble with this dilemma and wondered if any of you fine people had any insights that would help!

Thanks for reading.

NinjaFingers said:

What genre? (It might make a difference).

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Good point, thanks! YA comedy with a historical setting, I suppose. Not a million miles from Lemony Snicket.

ARoyce said:

It can be quite a difficult decision. Some things to consider when you talk with each of them:
-Does one of them seem to "get" your book more than the other? Do they think it needs any revisions? How much?
- does one seem more enthusiastic than the other?
- ask for a copy of their author-agent contract and review each of them carefully. They may have some differing clauses, and you'd need to decide if you're comfortable with those contracts.
- ask them if you may contact a few of the authors they represent. These conversations can be helpful for getting a sense of how each agent works and whether one would be a better fit than the other.

I'm sure you have your own list of questions as well. Ultimately, you may find after talking with both that one leaps to the fore.

Congrats on the interest and good luck!

I'm sure you already have a list of questions

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Great answer, thank you! I hadn't thought of asking to get in touch with some of their clients, and I've only seen one author's agreement so far. I speak with them both on the phone later today, and yes, I have quite a list of questions already, but your insight is really helpful just now. I've never been in this situation before and it's very exciting!

Old Hack said:

Have you checked them both out thoroughly, to make sure that their clients are pleased with them and that they have a strong list of good sales behind them? Because you might well find that that gives you some clarity of thought here, too.

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I have - both are impressive, and neither one markedly better than the other. That's definitely how I've been approaching the decision, though - thanks!